The remarkable story, in their own words, of the family taken in custody by French social services, a nation where evidence matters

“We were among those [in Sus, France] taken by the police for questioning. This was an opportunity for the prosecutor to place our four children under the care of the local social services. After two weeks of deep suffering, insecurity, crying out, repenting and rejecting doubts and accusations, the judge for children returned them to our family.

“The reports of the social workers and educators were positive, unlike times in the past. They confirmed clearly that our children are not mistreated, but strong, full of resources and very attached to their parents.

“They concluded that no physical, nor psychological damage was found in them.

They appreciated Asher, our oldest son, for his wisdom and maturity, calmly taking the situation with peace and trust, devoting himself night and day to care for his younger brothers and sister, especially Yeshayah (one and a half years old), who was brutally taken away from his imma.

“Asher brought much honor and glory to our people by his behavior.

“The judge was not so much troubled by the discipline issue, although she did ask about it. Her concerns were more about what she called the cultural isolation of our life. That is why she wants to follow up our family for six months through encounters with social workers, to come to understand the pattern of our daily life…

“We, as a couple, acknowledge our Father’s love and goodness in all that happened. Ecclesiasticus 2:1-18 is what strengthened us in time of testing. We experienced His mercy when the children were returned. He is in the picture and we want to continue to trust Him and receive His perfect work in our hearts, in order to come to fully please Him by His grace and mercy.

“More than ever our hearts and admiration go out to our brothers and sisters in Levi, who have been suffering to a much greater extent than us. Please don’t give up!”

Aman & Emunah

Notes

Ecclesiasticus 2:1-18

1 My child, if you aspire to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for an
ordeal.
2 Be sincere of heart, be steadfast, and do not be alarmed when
disaster comes.
3 Cling to him and do not leave him, so that you may be honored at
the end of your days.
4 Whatever happens to you, accept it, and in the uncertainties of your
humble state, be patient,
5 since gold is tested in the fire, and the chosen in the furnace of
humiliation.
6 Trust him and he will uphold you, follow a straight path and hope in
him.
7 You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy; do not turn aside, for fear
you fall.
8 You who fear the Lord, trust him, and you will not be robbed of your
reward.
9 You who fear the Lord, hope for those good gifts of his, everlasting
joy and mercy.
10 Look at the generations of old and see: whoever trusted in the Lord
and was put to shame? Or whoever, steadfastly fearing him, was
forsaken? Or whoever called to him and was ignored?
11 For the Lord is compassionate and merciful, he forgives sins and
saves in the time of distress.
12 Woe to faint hearts and listless hands, and to the sinner who treads
two paths.
13 Woe to the listless heart that has no faith, for such will have no
protection.
14 Woe to you who have lost the strength to endure; what will you do
at the Lord’s visitation?
15 Those who fear the Lord do not disdain his words, and those who
love him keep his ways.
16 Those who fear the Lord do their best to please him, and those who
love him will find satisfaction in the Law.
17 Those who fear the Lord keep their hearts prepared and humble
themselves in his presence.
18 Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, not into any human clutches;
for as his majesty is, so too is his mercy.